On how close the Thunder is to winning a title and what is needed that wasn’t there last year:

I think we’re really close to winning the championship. We just lacked a little experience this year. We’re very close. We just have to stay home and keep on with the hard work. The sky is the limit. We have a big scorer in Kevin Durant. We have an all-star in Russell. As long as guys keep working and staying together, we’ll be good.

On whether he’s looking to play overseas:

Yeah, I thought about it. I’m just trying to decide. I’m waiting to see how far they’ll go with the lockout. It’s all timing. It will come time to decide. I have thought about it.

On how his knees are feeling:

I’ve been working hard this summer. They feel great. I’m definitely going to try to get back to my early stages before getting hurt. I’ll be playing without my braces. I’m excited to get back out on the court.

On what he likes most about being with the Thunder:

I love the city. I love the young group of guys. I love the organization, how they carry themselves. It’s a first class organization in everything they do. The guys work hard to give back and try to win for the city. It’s amazing to me. It’s a good feeling to have a young team that wants to win like those guys do.

On whether he’ll join other Thunder players in Lexington for voluntary workouts next week:

I’m doing my own workouts, but I’ll be there. We are scheduled to be in Lexington as a team. Us players will be out there working out at the University of Kentucky.

On what he’s focusing on improving this off-season:

I just want to get better with being able to finish with either hand. I’ve been working my left a lot. Strengthing my legs. So I won’t have to wear those big dumb knee braces…Oh, and my 15-foot jumpshot I’ve been working on.

We also learn that the Dallas Cowboys are Perk’s favorite NFL team and the Boston Red Sox are his favorite MLB team. Perk also says he determines how he wears his facial hair by the mood he’s in and added that sometimes he might blame a poor performance on it and cut it because of that. So there.

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You can see Durant’s full transcript over at the official site. But here is some of the best material from today’s session.

Q: How much thought went into the decision (to sign)? And many are predicting you guys to be a 2 seed, do you think you guys can do that?
A: There was really no thought in this decision, it was easy for me…and to put us as a number 2 seed is cool, but it’s way too early to think that. We have a long ways to go before we reach that level.

Q: What are you most excited for this season?
A: To run out the tunnel and see those AMAZING Oklahoma City fans.

Q: How do you like Oklahoma City?
A: I love OKC. Very laid back and calm. Fits my personality very well.

Q: Who is the funniest player on the Thunder?
A: Serge Ibaka by far. He keeps everyone laughing!!!

Q: What kind of role do you think Daequan Cook will play on the Thunder?
A: He is going to be a guy that is going to give us alot of scoring off the bench.

Q: You’re still so young, but have you seen your role change at all with the new faces from the draft following your steps?
A: Yes, I have to get better at leading by example because all those guys are looking at me.

Q: Do you think you can become the scoring champion again this year?
A: No I dont think I can be scoring champ. It’s so many great scorers in this league. I think Carmelo got it this upcoming year.

Q: Which of your teammates do you think will develop his game and jump to a new level this season?
A: I think that James is going to step up and be great this year?

Q: When will you get into the NBA 3-point contest?
A: I think this year I’m (going to) enter the 3-point contest.

Q: Please tell us your role model basketball wise.
A: My role model is Tim Duncan. I look at everything he’s done and I want something like that here in OKC.

Q: Martin or Fresh Prince?
A: MARTINNNNNNNNNNN.

Q: When you growing a beard?
A: I been trying to grow a beard for 21 years.

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